The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has unveiled its candidates for the 2027 general elections, with Senator Sharafadeen Alli emerging as the party’s governorship candidate.
According to The Punch, the candidates, drawn from the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly contests, were presented on Friday at the APC Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
Alli, who currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, expressed appreciation to God, President Bola Tinubu, the party leadership and members for giving him the opportunity to represent the APC in the governorship election.
He also appealed to other aspirants who contested the party’s governorship ticket to work with him towards securing victory for the APC.
“Those who contested the governorship ticket alongside me should not be regarded as opponents but as brothers and critical stakeholders in the collective struggle for the party’s victory.”
The senator emphasised the importance of unity within the party, urging members to avoid divisions and internal disagreements that could undermine the APC’s chances in the election.
“A united APC would present a stronger front and improve the party’s chances of electoral victory across Oyo.”
Alli further promised that, if elected, his administration would be inclusive and focus on key areas including education, healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure, among others.
The party also named Soji Adedeji as Alli’s running mate.
For the senatorial contests, Yunus Akintunde was unveiled for Oyo Central, Hannah Ogunsean for Oyo North and Aderemi Oseni for Oyo South.
The 14 House of Representatives candidates presented by the party include Akeem Adeyemi for Afijio/Atiba/Oyo East/Oyo West; Olafiye Akinmoyede for Akinyele/Lagelu; Tajudeen Kareem for Atisbo/Saki East/Saki West; and Akinola Adekunle Alabi for Egbeda/Ona-Ara.
Others are Umar Arisekola for Ibadan North; Olatunji Olaiya for Ibadan North East/Ibadan South East; Folake Olunloyo-Oshinowo for Ibadan North West/Ibadan South West; Sarafadeen Olaoniye for Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North; and Yusuf Osuolale for Ibarapa East/Ido.
Also unveiled were Bosun Oladele for Irepo/Olorunsogo/Orelope; Saheed Yusuf for Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa; Olamiju Alao-Akala for Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Orire; Olusegun Odebunmi for Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere; and Tolulope Sadipe for Oluyole.
For the 32 State House of Assembly constituencies, the APC presented candidates including Oyewole Abiola for Afijio, Ajao Olugbega for Akinyele I, Owoade Tunde Jelili for Akinyele II, Ijadunola Olushina for Atiba and Olumide Bernard for Egbeda.
Other candidates listed by the party are Adeyemi Olaide, Aderibigbe Abiodun, Razak Adekunle, Adepoju Steve, Jimoh Tesleem, Hamzat Wasiu, Adegoke Wariths, Tolani Adigun, Okunola Ado, Ogunlade Babatunde, Tajudeen Amoo, Adeleke Azeez and Salami Waliu.
The remaining candidates are Akande Babatunde, Salami Rasheed, Azeez Akintola, Giwa Olawale, Shittu Abdulfatai, Adegoke Ayodeji, Lawal Akeem, Funmilola Obisesan, Jimoh Luqman, Bamigboye Jacob, Ajeigbe Abiodun, Shittu Ibrahim, Aliu Adetunji and Jesutoye Olayinka.
Addressing the gathering, the state APC Chairman, Chief Adeyemo Alake, called on party leaders, stakeholders and members to put aside differences and work together ahead of the 2027 elections.
Alake said the candidates unveiled at the event had been affirmed by the party as its flag-bearers for the various positions.
Among those present at the ceremony were Deputy Governorship candidate Soji Adedeji; former Deputy Governor, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; wife of the late former governor, Mrs Oluwakemi Alao-Akala; former Oyo North Senator, Senator Hosea Ayoola; members of the state executive; party chairmen from the 33 local government areas; and other party leaders, members and supporters.
